Current location in this text. Enter a Perseus citation to go to another section or work. Full search
options are on the right side and top of the page.

101. The historians of the
period, who during the ascendancy of the Flavian family composed the
chronicles of this war, have in the distorted representations of flattery
assigned as the motives of these men a regard for peace and a love of their
country. For my own part I believe that, to say nothing of a natural
fickleness and an honour which they must have held cheap after the betrayal
of Galba, feelings of rivalry, and jealousy lest others should outstrip them
in the favour of Vitellius, made them accomplish his ruin. Cæcina,
having overtaken the legions, strove by every species of artifice to
undermine the fidelity of the centurions and soldiers, who were devoted to
Vitellius. Bassus, in making the same attempt, experienced less difficulty,
for the fleet, remembering how recently it had served in the cause of Otho,
was ready to change its allegiance.